Consumer inflation rises to 5.4%
South Africa recorded a second consecutive acceleration in annual inflation, with the figure rising to 5.4% in September.
This brings the Consumer Price Inflation back to the same level it was in June.
The Chief Director for Price Statistics, Patrick Kelly, says the CPI increased by 0.6% between August and September.
Transport and food were the main contributors.
"The fuel index increased for a second consecutive month, rising by 7.6% between August and September. The price of inland 95-octane petrol jumped by R1.71 in September, reaching a 13-month high of R24.54," says Kelly.
On food, he says after a cooled five months, inflation ticked slightly higher to 8.1% from 8.0% in August.
READ: Motorists expected to fork out less for fuel in November
Meat, fish, oils and fats, fruit and non-alcoholic beverages all registered higher annual rates in September.
"Lower rates were recorded for bread & cereals, sugar, sweets & desserts, vegetables and milk, eggs and cheese. Meat prices increased on average by 0.6% between August and September, pushing the annual rate up to 3.8%," says Kelly.
"Poultry-related products experienced some upward price movements in September as producers started to cull birds in response to the outbreak of avian flu.
"Examples include fresh whole chicken up 2.2%, fresh chicken portions up 2.2% and non-IQF chicken portions up 1.9%. IQF chicken portions and chicken giblets were slightly cheaper."
Egg prices increased by 0.3% due to the impact of bird flu.
